Assigned to HHS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2257
DCS; vaccinations; child placement
Purpose
Prohibits the Department of Child Services (DCS) from refusing to place a child with a
foster home or kinship foster care parent based solely on the vaccination status of the child or other
children in the home.
Background
In the foster care placement of a child, in addition to any other relevant factors, DCS must
consider the following in determining whether a foster placement is in the best interests of the
child: 1) if the caregiver is interested in providing permanence for the child, if reunification efforts
ultimately fail; 2) the expressed wishes of the birth parent and child, unless the wishes are contrary
to law; 3) the relationship between the caregiver, child and child's family; 4) the proximity of the
placement home to the parents' home and the child's current school; 5) the strengths and parenting
style of the caregiver in relation to the child's behavior and needs; 6) the caregiver's willingness to
communicate and interact with the birth family to support visitation and the reunification process;
7) the caregiver's ability to accept placement of the child and all of the child's siblings; 8) the
caregiver's ability to assist in maintaining frequent visitation or ongoing contact between the child
and the child's sibling; 9) the child's fit with the family with regard to age, gender and sibling
relationships; and 10) if the child has chronic behavioral health needs (A.R.S. § 8-514).
Kinship foster care services are available for children who have been removed from their
home and are in the custody of DCS. The program promotes the placement of a child with a relative
or a person with a significant relationship with the child. If DCS determines that a kinship foster
care placement is not in the best interest of the child, it must provide written notification to the
applicant within fifteen business days (A.R.S. § 8-514.03).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits DCS from refusing to place a child with a foster home or kinship foster care parent
based solely on the vaccination status of the child or other children in the home if the foster
home or kinship foster care parent is licensed and qualified for the placement of the child.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GOV 2/5/25 DPA 4-3-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/26/25 32-27-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 24, 2025
MM/AO/slp